- Sep 16, 2010
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There was another thread this morning on introducing new birds, so I'm copying what I posted there. My main concern with your posting, though, is that I don't see you mentioning if you quarantined your birds before introducing them? this is important - you don't want to bring sick birds into your flock. here is my posting:
Sometimes it is hard to give advice because each setting is different, so what works for me may not work for you. I've introduced new pullets to old ones several times, without first letting them see each other. Of course, only introduce new members to the flock after they've been quarantined to make sure they are healthy.
What they really need is space. If they have enough space to run away from the older "mean" girls, they will do fine. It will take a while, but at the end they will be OK. I understand you only let them outside when you're present - so you have to make sure the young ones will have a place where they can run away from the old ones.
If I have to introduce them in a pen or closed run, I add roosts so the little ones can fly up to them - the old ones usually don't follow them there. I also add some concrete blocks and some obstacles where they can run around or on top. Add waterers and feeders - no need to spend money buying new ones, any dog bowl or bowl will do for the time being. Add a flock block - the old ones will have so many opportunities to eat that the young ones will find a bowl or flock block where they can feed as well. I make sure there are no places where the young ones could get trapped and pecked by the big girls without being able to escape - that can be really dangerous.
at night, the old ones will defend their places in the roost and peck at the small ones, so they may have to sleep on the ground or on the poop board but little by little, the young ones will find their places within the flock. they may never become bff, but they will learn to live together.
And after all - the "mean" girls are not mean at all - they are only teaching the younger ones their place in the pecking order.
Good luck!
Sometimes it is hard to give advice because each setting is different, so what works for me may not work for you. I've introduced new pullets to old ones several times, without first letting them see each other. Of course, only introduce new members to the flock after they've been quarantined to make sure they are healthy.
What they really need is space. If they have enough space to run away from the older "mean" girls, they will do fine. It will take a while, but at the end they will be OK. I understand you only let them outside when you're present - so you have to make sure the young ones will have a place where they can run away from the old ones.
If I have to introduce them in a pen or closed run, I add roosts so the little ones can fly up to them - the old ones usually don't follow them there. I also add some concrete blocks and some obstacles where they can run around or on top. Add waterers and feeders - no need to spend money buying new ones, any dog bowl or bowl will do for the time being. Add a flock block - the old ones will have so many opportunities to eat that the young ones will find a bowl or flock block where they can feed as well. I make sure there are no places where the young ones could get trapped and pecked by the big girls without being able to escape - that can be really dangerous.
at night, the old ones will defend their places in the roost and peck at the small ones, so they may have to sleep on the ground or on the poop board but little by little, the young ones will find their places within the flock. they may never become bff, but they will learn to live together.
And after all - the "mean" girls are not mean at all - they are only teaching the younger ones their place in the pecking order.
Good luck!
